W5 - Hatamoto Jiro, FINAL

Hatamoto Jiro

NWHC Wave 5 – Harbingers of Triumph - Heroes of the Banner




PDF DOWNLOAD, front
PDF DOWNLOAD, back


Figure: Pathfinders Battles, Iconic Heroes Set #6, Hayato, human samurai

General: Einar
Planet: Earth

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
60 Points

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-Jirushi also affects Hatamoto Jiro if he is adjacent to at least one Samurai figure with a Range of 1 that you control.

CHARGING BANNER
After taking a turn with a Samurai squad, if at least two Samurai you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro.


Character Bio:
Coming soon ... (Following Japanese naming conventions, Jiro means the second born son. Taro means eldest son. Hatamoto is the clan, which came from China originally. Nice internet history lesson for me).


- Rulings and Clarifications -

- N/A

- Combinations and Synergies -

Synergy Benefits Offered

-SAMURAI WITH RANGE OF 1: Aura of Uma-Jirushi
Samurai figures with a range of 1 may benefit from Hatamoto Jiro's AURA OF UMA-JIRUSHI defense and attack bonus. Samurai figures with a range of 1 include Hatamoto Jiro, Hatamoto Taro, Izumi Samurai, Kozuke Samurai, Tagawa Samurai, Tomoe Gozen.

-EBON ARMOR: Animated Materiel & Eternal War
As a Unique Human, a destroyed Ebon Armor you control may be placed on Hatamoto Jiro’s Army Card to replace Hatamoto Jiro upon his own destruction.

-SACRED BAND: Disciplined Army Defense Bonus
Having a Disciplined personality, Hatamoto Jiro may aid the Sacred Band with their DISCIPLINED ARMY DEFENSE BONUS.

-HATAMOTO TARO: Adjacent Tough 1
As a figure who follows Einar, Hatamoto Jiro causes an adjacent, friendly Hatamoto Taro to add one automatic shield to his defense roll using his ADJACENT TOUGH special power.

Synergy Benefits Received

-SAMURAI SQUADS: Charging Banner
Hatamoto Jiro may benefit from his CHARGING BANNER activation power if two Samurai squad figures end their turn engaged. Samurai squads include Izumi Samurai, Kozuke Samurai, Tagawa Samurai, Tagawa Samurai Archers.

-HATAMOTO TARO: Heroic Defense Aura
As a Samurai, Hatamoto Jiro may benefit from Hatamoto Taro’s HEROIC DEFENSE AURA

-KATO KATSURO: Kato Katsuro's Command
As a Samurai Hero, Hatamoto Jiro may benefit from Kato Katsuro's KATO KATSURO'S COMMAND activation synergy.

-COUNT RAYMOND: Maneuver 9
As a friendly human figure who follows Einar, Hatamoto Jiro may benefit from Count Raymond's MANEUVER 9 when he receives one or more wounds from a leaving engagement attack.

-TOMOE GOZEN: Defensive Formation
As Samurai, Hatamoto Jiro may boost his own defense as well as Tomoe Gozen's when adjacent to Tomoe Gozen.

Synergy Imposed

- N/A

OK, I will try something different . . . borrowing from the Einar Archer Commander discussion. Or, should we just play with the official but unreleased version of Hatamoto Taro and skip the first power. Thoughts?

Hatamoto Jiro

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 5
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 2
Defense: 2
50 Points

HEROIC DEFENSE AURA ENHANCEMENT
Any figure you control with the Heroic Defense Aura special power may have that aura enhanced to include normal attacks from non-adjacent figures.

SAMURAI INSPIRATION
If all Order Markers for a round are placed on Samurai Army Cards, and at least one Order Marker is placed on Hatamoto Jiro, then all Samurai with a Range of 1 you control (except Hatamoto Jiro) become inspired. Inspired Samurai add one to their Move number and add 1 extra attack die and defense die for the rest of the round.

Nomad wrote:OK, I will try something different . . . borrowing from the Einar Archer Commander discussion. Or, should we just play with the official but unreleased version of Hatamoto Taro and skip the first power. Thoughts?

Hatamoto Jiro

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 5
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 2
Defense: 2
50 Points

HEROIC DEFENSE AURA ENHANCEMENT
Any figure you control with the Heroic Defense Aura special power may have that aura enhanced to include normal attacks from non-adjacent figures.

SAMURAI INSPIRATION
If all Order Markers for a round are placed on Samurai Army Cards, and at least one Order Marker is placed on Hatamoto Jiro, then all Samurai with a Range of 1 you control (except Hatamoto Jiro) become inspired. Inspired Samurai add one to their Move number and add 1 extra attack die and defense die for the rest of the round.

5 Life at 50 points seems high.

The Samurai Inspiration is the main reason to take Jiro. He's a mini-Spartacus so I wouldn't bother with Taro. You could make his Inspiration Aura a short range (like 4-6) to make him different than Spartacus.

As for Taro - I think we should just remake him - but I think you guys don't want to do a Competitive Unit Congress style custom. So maybe you make Jiro what we think Taro should have been for 130-points : )

I am proposing that we (NWHC) officially adopt the official Hasbro Hatamoto Taro card and stats, instead of the one that was erroneously released. If we do, I will create the new front and back for the Taro official card. This will also change how I will proceed with Taro's brother.

Here are the official Hasbro stats for Taro:

Life 5
Move 5
Range 1
Attack 1
Defense 2
100 points

INSPIRED DEFENSE AURA
When defending with any Samurai or Ashigaru figures you control within 8 clear sight spaces of Hatamoto Taro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield. Inspired Defense Aura does not affect Hatamoto Taro.

ADJACENT TOUGH 1
When rolling defense dice for Hatamoto Taro, if Hatamoto Taro is adjacent to at least one figure who follows Einar that you control, add one automatic shield to the defense roll.

Drops points to 100 from 130. Inspired defense also works against range and special attacks. Drops attack from 2 to 1.

I am okay using that version of Hatamoto.

I'd also be okay modifying existing Heroscape figures, like the Competitive Congress did - but I don't think you two are in favor of that.

What do you think about making this figure into Hatamoto Taro 2.0 ? Sort of like Raelin RotV vs Raelin SotM?

Then you could really make him Hatamoto and since he'll have the same name he couldn't be in the same Army as the Classic Hatamoto? Then you (we) could really revise the character stats.

Thoughts?

I love Hatamoto - the sculpt, and that he is an underdog.

I'm thinking since we are OK with using the official 100 point Hasbro design of Hatamoto Taro, then I would rather go in a different direction with Hatamoto Jiro. I like the option of boosting unique Samurai's a bit more, and boosting Taro a bit somehow.

Ideas are rolling through my head. I will capitalize on some of the ideas thrown out for the archer commander but not used.

Brainstorming . . . OP updated with these stats, powers, and card.

Hatamoto Jiro

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 4
Defense: 2
60 Points

COMBAT LEADER
If at least one Order Marker is on Hatamoto Jiro, you may add 3 to your initiative roll.

AURA OF UMA-JIRUSHI (boosts Tagawa, Kozuki, Izumi, Taro, and Tomoe)
All friendly unique Samurai with a Range of 1 within 3 clear sight spaces of Hatamoto Jiro add 1 to their attack and 1 to their defense dice.

ADJACENT TOUGH 1
When rolling defense dice for Hatamoto Jiro, if Hatamoto Jiro is adjacent to at least one figure who follows Einar that you control, add one automatic shield to the defense roll.

Do you imagine Hatamoto Jiro as more of a cheerleader for his +3 initiative?  

The Samurai army always has challenges with OM management.  I think, without bonding, he is going to have a hard time keeping up with other Samurai to provide his Aura bonus.  What do you think about increasing the range of the Aura or adding some movement bonding power to keep him up with a squad?

Maybe a combo of Charging Assault (Kozuki) and Brother's Call (Orrick) = by dropping Adjacent Tough.


Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
60 Points

COMBAT LEADER
If at least one Order Marker is on Hatamoto Jiro, you may add 3 to your initiative roll.

AURA OF UMA-JIRUSHI (boosts Tagawa, Kozuki, Izumi, Taro, and Tomoe)
All friendly unique Samurai with a Range of 1 within 3 clear sight spaces of Hatamoto Jiro add 1 to their attack and 1 to their defense dice.

CHARGING BANNER
Hatamoto Jiro may add 1 to his Move number for each engaged Samurai you control up to a maximum of +3 for Charging Banner.  If Hatamoto Jiro ends his movement engaged with an opponent's figure, add 2 to his attack value this turn.

I like your proposed changes. I will update the OP soon.

Nomad wrote:I like your proposed changes. I will update the OP soon.

YAY! I was super-happy with Charging Banner, so glad you like that one.

OP and card updated with Kai's suggestions. Play test?

Nomad wrote:OP and card updated with Kai's suggestions. Play test?

Sounds good to me!

We could try him with:

Hatamoto Jiro ... 60
Matsuko Kazumi ... 140
Samurai Archers x3 ... 335
Tagawa Samurai ... 455
Izumi Samurai ... 515

We got in three playtests with Jiro yesterday.

Game 1
My army: Jiro, Kozuke, Izumi, Tagawa, Tomoe Gozen, Red Wyrmlings x2 = 510
Joseph's army: Woo, Fusiliers x3, Shaolin Monks x2 = 510

I was able to take out Joseph's army in the 6th round with 270 points left (Kozuke, Tomoe, and Jiro were all full life). I won because of strategy. Joseph allowed Woo to get separated from his Monks.

Game 2
My army: Jiro, Kozuke, Izumi, Tagawa, Tomoe Gozen, Red Wyrmlings x2 = 510
Joseph's army: Omegacron, Zetacron, Repulsers x2, Snipers x2 = 520

The samurai were picked apart from range. Joseph had 1-life left on Omegacron and Zetacron each, two snipers, and three repulsors remaining.

Game 3
Joseph's army: Jiro, Kozuke, Izumi, Tagawa, Tomoe Gozen, Red Wyrmlings x2 = 510
James's army: Woo, Fusiliers x3, Shaolin Monks x2 = 510

Joseph barely pulled it out with only one Wyrmling left. I didn't observe the fun they were having - too busy making dinner.

NOTES:
The Charging Banner power has to change. As it reads, Jiro would always get an attack of 5. I noticed this before the first game, so I just deleted the attack bonus. I am not sure if Joseph did in his game with his dad.

In the two battles, it was nice to give the Samurai an occasional boost on defense and attack, but it didn't really make too much of a difference in the outcomes. I am not sure that spending an OM to keep him up with the rest of the samurai is worth his addition to the army. He was OK, but he doesn't seem to encourage me to want to play with him. I am going to go in a slightly different direction. Stay tuned.

Suggesting some changes. Replaced Banner Charge with Life Debt (same as Tomoe). Replaced the Aura with a power similiar to Taro's by using Valkyrie dice. Let me know your thoughts.

Hatamoto Jiro

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
60 Points

COMBAT LEADER
If at least one Order Marker is on Hatamoto Jiro, you may add 3 to your initiative roll.

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-jirushi Aura does not affect Hatamoto Jiro.

SAMURAI LIFE DEBT
After revealing an Order Marker on a Unique Samurai Squad you control that has at least one previously destroyed Samurai on its Army Card, before taking that squad's turn, you may first take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro.

I really liked Charging Banner (but oh yeah that is 5 attack every time!) but understand that it just wasn't working for OM's.

For 60-points, I would just go with 2 Powers .. as I think the Valkyrie dice power is pretty strong. Yes - you need to be adjacent, but once he starts moving up with Life Debt, they'll be a nice Wolf-Pack running around with Skulls on 4 out of 6 dice and Shields 3 out of 6.

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-jirushi Aura does not affect Hatamoto Jiro.

SAMURAI LIFE DEBT
After revealing an Order Marker on a Unique Samurai Squad you control that has at least one previously destroyed Samurai on its Army Card, before taking that squad's turn, you may first take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro.

I thought about deleting the Combat Leader power as well. In the play tests, that was his most influential power.

Nomad wrote:I thought about deleting the Combat Leader power as well. In the play tests, that was his most influential power.

Hmm. Yeah +3 to Initiative is pretty good but maybe 3 powers is too much for 60 points (when he also has an "Attack Aura").

We got in a playtest yesterday with Jiro and his new powers. Uma-jirushi was pretty cool, but with Tomoe in the same army, Samurai Life Debt on both figures doesn't work. Either Jiro's power would need to be reworded so that they both can't take a turn or a new similar power. I am suggested a new one below. Let me know what you think.

Hatamoto Jiro

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
60 Points

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-jirushi does not affect Hatamoto Jiro.

CHARGING BANNER
When revealing an Order Marker on the Army Card of a Samurai you control, and before taking that Samurai's turn, you may take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro. At least two other Samurai you control must be engaged in order to use Charging Banner.

For CHARGING BANNER ... you could follow the Mohican's War Cry.

WAR CRY
After taking at turn with the Mohican River Tribe, if at least two Mohican River Tribesmen you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Unique Tribesman Hero you control.


CHARGING BANNER
After taking a turn with a Samurai Squad, if at least two Samurai you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro.


I also think that Hatamoto Jiro should be able to use his own Einar dice : )

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-jirushi also affects Hatamoto Jiro dice.

I like both of your suggested changes and will play test him with those revised powers.

We have play tested Taro's little brother numerous times. He adds much to the Samurai faction if played well. I vote this figure as final. Official powers updated here with the changes that were made long ago.

Hatamoto Jiro

Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Samurai
Personality: Disciplined
Medium 5

Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
60 Points

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-jirushi also affects Hatamoto Jiro.

CHARGING BANNER
After taking a turn with a Samurai squad, if at least two Samurai you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro.

Nomad wrote:We have play tested Taro's little brother numerous times. He adds much to the Samurai faction if played well. I vote this figure as final. Official powers updated here with the changes that were made long ago.

Hatamoto Jiro

UMA-JIRUSHI
When defending or attacking with any Samurai figures with a Range of 1 adjacent to Hatamoto Jiro, you may roll Einar Valkyrie dice. Each Einar symbol rolled counts as an additional shield when defending or an additional skull when attacking. Uma-jirushi also affects Hatamoto Jiro.

CHARGING BANNER
After taking a turn with a Samurai squad, if at least two Samurai you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with Hatamoto Jiro.

Sounds good!

Card looked ready.

Hatamoto Jiro has been shared on Heroscapers, 4.19.20.

Matsuko and Kapta Jorn are next week, and then we will finish the wave off with Kooko-makwa.